I interviewed William Rumpke, Jr., CEO of Rumpke Waste and Recycling based in Cincinnati, Ohio.  As the world is creating more garbage and thus making disposal of waste a challenge world over, I discussed the way forward in terms of recycling with one of the awardees of the inaugural 20 Best Managed Companies by Deloitte Private and Wall Street Journal. Mr. Rumpke shared how Rumpke Waste and Recycling won this award, steps we can take as a society in managing waste, qualities he looks for in recent graduates and secret to managing a privately and fully family owned business with 3200 employees and revenue of $694 million in 2019. He also discusses the importance of perseverance and being proactive in maintaining good relationship with stakeholders in his industry.

Bill Rumpke Jr. is the president and chief executive officer at Rumpke Waste & Recycling, one of the largest privately owned waste companies in North America. He began his career like others in his family, by working in a variety of roles from frontline to management. After earning a management position, Bill began putting his mark on the business. In 1988, he founded Rumpke’s Central Ohio hauling districts, and on July 1, 2002, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Bill ensured unprecedented growth in market share and size. In 2014, he became President & CEO and along with completing nearly 100 acquisitions, Bill has invested millions in essential landfill construction, recycling technology and infrastructure improvements.  Today, Bill focuses on long term expansions, capital improvements, multimillion-dollar technology upgrades and acquisitions to best support Rumpke’s 60-plus locations, 1.6 million customers and 3,000 employees. Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from Miami University located in Oxford, Ohio. He serves on the Board of Governors for the National Waste & Recycling Association. Under Bill’s leadership, Rumpke was recognized with an Association for Corporate Growth Deal Maker Award in 2010. In 2013, Bill was honored as a South-Central Ohio and Kentucky Entrepreneur of the Year. The Public Relations Society of America (Cincinnati Chapter) honored Bill as the CEO Communicator of the Year in 2015, recognizing his transparency and efforts to communicate openly with his employees, customers and the public. Most recently, with Bill leading the way, Rumpke was recognized as a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private.